Côté says that while Montreal is a primarily French city, everyone should feel welcome here.

"Probably all of us switch from one language to another one," he said to a room full of reporters. "That’s the beauty of Montreal and that’s also the richness of Montreal."

One of Côté’s proposals is improving access to housing in the city. He is promising to create 2,000 three-room housing units and reserving vacant municipal property for the construction of co-operative family housing.

Côté also proposes reducing speed limits in residential areas and more green spaces.

Another cornerstone of his candidacy deals with collusion in the city’s construction industry.

He says prosecuting construction firms accused of collusion will only tie up the court system and create a shortage of bidders for city contracts.

Instead, Côté says the city should deal directly with the firms linked to corruption.

"Offending companies must repay the amounts the City has overpaid. We should establish a negotiating mechanism with an independent mediation body to help determine the amounts to be repaid," Côté said.